Neurodivergent + 8 Senses

When we think of our senses, traditionally we consider 5: Touch, Taste, Sight, Hearing and Smell.

We also have another three defined to consider; our 6th sense is called Vestibular, our 7th Proprioception, and our 8th sense Interoception.

If you have children, it is very important for you to be aware of these “additional senses” – please see the link below for helpful information on what to watch out for to ensure you are on the same page as your child.

The Brain and Body have nerve endings, in a wide range of places. We can have a “gut feeling” for something, and we can have phantom pains. Our brains look to regulate the body, to keep us in a state of Homeostasis – internal stability. You may enjoy the “Preparation H” clip of Dr Evil in the link below.

I often thought psychics had a 6th sense, like animals. The ability to see ghosts and spirits, to sense when something dangerous was present. Well… lets briefly look at the definition accredited to these extra senses.

The Vestibular system, in vertebrates, is a sensory system that creates the sense of balance and spatial orientation for the purpose of coordinating movement with balance. Together with the cochlea, a part of the auditory system, it constitutes the labyrinth of the inner ear in most mammals.

Proprioception, or kinaesthesia, is the sense that lets us perceive the location, movement, and action of parts of the body. It encompasses a complex of sensations, including perception of joint position and movement, muscle force, and effort.

Interoception is an internal sensory system in which the physical and emotional states of the person are consciously or unconsciously noticed, recognised and responded to. For example: a person notices their stomach is rumbling and they have a pulling sensation in their abdomen. They recognise this as signalling hunger.

Homeostasis is defined as a self-regulating process by which a living organism can maintain internal stability while adjusting to changing external conditions. Homeostasis is not static and unvarying; it is a dynamic process that can change internal conditions as required to survive external challenges.

While I believe there is still space for ‘psychic’ and ‘supernatural’ senses, they are beyond the scope of this piece.

For more information relating to accepted science, please see the link below;

You can use the link below to take the MAIA test;

Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness